Accused gun-show thief enters plea of not guilty

A 25-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of robbery.

Kenneth Howell is accused of trying to steal a gun from a gun show at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Sept. 8.

According to a court document, several witnesses saw Howell take a gun from a display table and stick it in his waistband. The owner also realized what happened and confronted Howell, who shoved him and tried to get away.

The document states that several people worked together to detain Howell, who tried to strike them with his feet and knees. Law officers then carried the uncooperative Howell from the building and took the gun.

Howell also allegedly was in possession of a marijuana pipe and blue medical gloves containing a brown substance.

At the time of the incident, Howell already had been charged with felony theft in two other cases. Howell is accused of stealing jewelry and silverware from an acquaintance on May 28 as well as coins, watches and other jewelry items from the Pine Cone Trading Post on April 24.

Howell was scheduled for change-of-plea hearings Thursday in both of those cases, but they were continued so an agreement spanning all three cases could be devised.

If convicted in all three cases, Howell faces between two and 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

He is currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $30,000.

His next hearing in the robbery case is scheduled for Oct. 31.